Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-05-19

said the speaker, "I was presented to
him, and shall never forget the quality
OF friendliness that marked his manner
and which has been so handsomely re
marked by your chief justice. You could
go to him again and again and again and
forever find him In the same cordial and
genial nature. Shortly after / made his
acquaintance and he hoRored ME with
his friendship went to Washington. I
had kinsman and friend who was a
senator and that brought me frequently
into his company, and, while / knew
little of his early history, there learned
to honor him for his high merit as a
stateaman and the noble, heroic qualities
OF his nature. ALI that heard tonight
testified to all that knew of him. There
never was man who lived in the history
OF this country who served with more
purity OF zeal, clearness Of intellect and
integrity Of purpose. / always listened
70 him with great deal of interest. I
never knew man in all my experience
who had the faculty of interesting those
who listened TO him as had MIR. CLAYTON.
Every word he said weighed pound
there was 80 much of force and weight,
coupled with beauty and gentleness OF
thought. never heard him utter harsh
or unkind expression.
Thespeaker then proceeded to recall two
httleincidentsill illustrative of MIR. Clayton's
affability and geniality. Passing by a
frozen fountain, beautiful with the grace
OF festoons and clusters of iciclea, yield
ing to the inspiration of the poetieal sur
roundings, he had quoted aloud Latin
verse in Mr.. Clayton's hearing. q Ben,
| you rascal" " said the latter, q come no
here and talk some more Latin to me,b
Let me tell you another little incident.n
continued Mr.. Brewster, f" 1 went down to
Warrington to see General Taylor inaug
urated. was blazing Democrat then
/ lapplausel, am sorry to say fmore ap
plause]. know that repentance is good
for the soul. [Great laughter and ap-
plausel. Well, as walked up the avenue
towards the then old and tumble.down
/ quarters Of the state department,
stately carriage rolled up,
a window opened and from a
head that protruded itself from q window
came the command: Come here, Ben, II
was John M. Clayton. DO you know old
Buckr he asked. Yes, SIR sThat's
your misfortune he said; but see here,
Ben, wont you take me in and introduce
| me to Secretary Buchanan? I'll tell Won
why, but do not tell anybody. am going
TO be Taylors secretary of state, and /
want old Buck to show me around III
| took MIR. Clayton into the building, sent
my card to Mr.. Buchanan and was duly
ushered into his presence, with the great
Wing leader behind me. II surprised the
secretary. He said something about only
expecting me; but / promptly addressed
hun, saying: Il came in to introduce Mr..
Clayton to you. Mr. Clayton is going to
be President Tayior's secretary Of state,
and be wanted TO meet the outgoing Sec
retary.' With that, gentlemen, with
drew myself, as I am going to do again
now. Good night"
Mr.. Lore then announced the toast
tour State" Hon. Benjamin 4. Bigps.
The governor said, ~ certainly appre.
eiate it as high and distinguished com
pliment, that am invited to respond to
the toast of the grand old State Of Della
ware. In the history of our State there
ID oil to be proud of, nothing TO be
ashamed Of" The speaker then pro-
ceeded to give categorical list of those
with whom rested the executive cares of
the State from 1777 to the current time.
dis frequent allusion to well known |
Deiawareans evoked continued enthu-
siasm. The governor next proceeded 60 |
compliment its manufacturers and bust |
ness men. He was proud OF those whose |
names were historically associated with
delaware, from its signers OF the Declara- |
NOD OF Independence. those Whc wore
the first of any state to do 80 and those /
who now will be the last to let 1t go out |
of the union. [Appiause. ~ feel |
proud" he continued 'of our statesmen
OF my proud and elegant young senator
TO my LETT another eruption of applause
which drifted in the direction of Senator
Gray. The governor closed his remarks
with profuse adulations of the bench and |
the bar Of Delaware.
The Hon. Charles b. Lore announced |
the next toast as 1.-THE Bench.n
Let us consider the reasons of the case,
For nothing Is law that is not reason.
Hon. j. w. Houston. Judge Houston's
words were heard with some difficulty on
account Of the applause and other inter
ruptions. The speaker referred to the
contemplated change in the constitution.
He said he thought it was the sentiment
of the people Of the State that they pre-
ferred the appointive system of judges
and county officials. He did not endorse
the election theory. He was however in
favor of constitutional changes retaining
all that was good and cutting out what
was evil, but careful consideration should
always be had for proper and conserva-
tive action in regard to what has proved
itself OF the best good TO the State.
Mr. Lore next announced the toast,
"The Bar. !" '"The only thing certain about
litigation 10 its uncertainty" Hon.
George v. Massey.
In tho ohca,,aa of M Aoan.,. |
O. Spruance, ESQ.,, responded to the |
toast of the bar. He said, in part am
invited to speak as o substitute, but we
once heard that ''subatitutes make the
best soldiers" Applause. l am sure
that Mr.. Massey would have proved to
you that there is nothing uncertain about
the law. But ] don't think am called
upon to prove that there is any unceE-
tainty about it. think that belongs to
the bench. Laughter. am here to-
night to say that the high qualities that
the chief justice demonstrated as his at
tributes at the bar have been carried by
him to the bench. Since he has sat upon
the bench of this State he has realized sli
that we expected of him. He has been
able to round up his professional career
in distinguished manner. May he be
long spared to us. Continued applause. ]
The president then announced the
toast Of 1.-THE Pulpit" the Rev. j. g.
Willis. Mr.. Willis said he felt highly
fiattered OF being called on to respond for
the pulpit, but regretted that there was
no pretty motto tagged on the end Of the
toast, as in the other cases. Laughter. I
He continued by referring TO some OF
Solomon's wise sayings in which the sage
said there is nothing o man should enjoy
more than the labor of his hands, and all
of 1t to the glory Oh God. The Christian
life is broad gulf stream that bears us
all along on its wide bosom of peace. II
the pulpit should die civilization would
die, Notwithstanding all that the brilliant
and great men have said. Civilization
gained by the arts and arms of Rome
would die, and not only that but the
sciences also. Without the stimulus OF
the pulpit all would go wrong. Hearing
what he had of the qualities of John
M. Clayton, Mr.. Willis thought that
that great man would have
made an admirable pulpit orator. Though
not protesting connection with any
denomination there was no firmer
believer In the exact teachings of the
Bible than John Nj. Clayton. Mr.. Clayton
was remarkable for his aptitude in the
yernacular. When addressing country
jury he would make himself a part of his
II the foreman were
wheelwright Mr.. Clayton would argue |
upon the logic of building the wheel
from the hub outwards to the circumfer.
ence and there's no man better knows
how to do it than Mr.. Jones (who is the
foreman Of the jury) Or in the case of